SANGHAR, Dec 19: The Sindh irrigation department has informed farmers' organizations about an acute shortage of water in the Nara Canal system during this Rabi season and urged the growers to take measures to cope with the shortage.

The chief engineer of the Sukkur Barrage, through the sub-divisional irrigation officers, has informed the farmers' organizations that there will be annual closure of the Nara Canal from December 30 to January 25.

According to the chief engineer, water will be released into the canal from January 25 to February 5 but in very small quantity. During that period, the canal could receive merely 4,200 cusecs or 2.8 feet of water against its capacity of 13,600 cusecs or 7.8 feet.

From February 5 to March 30, the canal will receive 5,800 cusecs and will remain dry from March 31 to April 15 because of second closure. According to farmers of the area, during the crucial grain formation period of wheat crop when it requires maximum water, there will be no water in the canal.

During those days, weather becomes warmer which enhances the need for watering crops. They have demanded reduction in the tariff of electricity for tube-wells and price of diesel as well as tube-well machinery on subsidized prices.